Outstanding local construction and manufacturing apprentices have been recognised for their efforts and abilities at a virtual awards ceremony held as part of Plymouth’s National Apprenticeship Week 2022. The Awards were led jointly by Building Plymouth and the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group (PMG), with nominations submitted by local employers and training providers, with 46 finalist apprentices celebrated, and 7 overall winners presented top awards.
Congratulations to Ellis Mitchell for winning the highly respected Ron Simmonds Construction Trade Apprentice of the Year 2022 Award. Ellis is undertaking an Intermediate Level 2 in Carpentry with Classic Builders and City College Plymouth.
Ellis commenced his Intermediate Level 2 Site Carpentry apprenticeship with Classic Builders in 2020. The programme usually lasts for two years and operates on an 80% work, 20% study (off the job) basis. As part of the academic framework Ellis has learnt how to prepare and install basic building components, wall and floor units, doors, straight staircases, structural carpentry and roof structures. His apprenticeship also covers health and safety in the workplace and soft skills.
Ellis’s consistent approach to learning and acquiring new skills is his biggest attribute and has led to him being hand selected by site managers for prestigious projects. His employer’s state that ‘he is one of the finest apprentices we have ever had at Classic Builders’.
It’s his ability to self-start which is demonstrated in ‘how he sets up his workspace’, to his willingness to ‘volunteer to work late and clean up at the end of the day’. Ellis is often the first on site and last to leave, a remarkable trait that cannot be learnt. ‘Our site managers often specifically request Ellis for their delivery team because of his level of maturity and humble work ethics’.
Ellis comments on receiving the Ron Simmonds Trade Apprentice Award, ‘I feel extremely lucky to accept this award. I would like to thank Classic Builders for the wide range of opportunities they have placed in front of me so far. I’d also like to thank Fred Benetton for taking me on and Kevin Hendy for his continuous belief in me’.
We predict great things for our 2022 Ron Simmonds Trade Apprentice of the Year Winner, Ellis Mitchell - congratulations Ellis!
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